Kirklees Council: MJ Awards highly commended in ‘Innovation in Building Diversity and Inclusion’ category

Commissioners identified innovative AT approaches can help people with their independence, overall well-being and enable them to participate easier. To scope and pilot these new approaches, a commissioner was appointed with the aim to develop and embed an offer of AT in Children’s Services.

Implementation: Pilots were established in schools and with family support workers. AT champions were identified, and awareness was raised through newsletters and training.

Collaboration: Partnerships were formed with local stakeholders, including schools, health professionals, and external product providers.

AT trials: Various AT solutions were trialled, including virtual reality, GPS devices, reading aids, gaming laptops, tablets, and communication aids.

Interviews, case studies and financial analysis have helped to identify the positive impact and lasting difference assistive technologies have made in individual care planning for our local children, young people and their families.

Our close partnership working with local children, families, our parent-carer forum: Parents of Children with Additional Needs (PCAN) and colleagues has allowed us to understand their needs and identify creative, cost-effective AT solutions.

Our finding show AT has enabled families to be more independent, from managing potential risks around the home, to reducing the need for hospital admissions and care services. This in turn improves wellbeing of carers and the people they care for.

In this extract from one case study, a single parent who is also a carer for her teenage daughter with epilepsy and autism shares how an AT epilepsy alarm unit has improved her life:

A key to the success of the project has been joint working between Children with a Disability Service Colleagues, the ‘Our Voice’ participation team, IT services, accessible homes team, care phones team, schools, community short breaks providers, University of Huddersfield and local, regional, and national AT providers.

This collaboration of disciplines, skills and specialisms has improved awareness of AT products and enabled colleagues to think more creatively to drive bespoke and personalised care options.

The use of AT has opened conversations around how young people view and use technologies for communication, information gathering, and developing independence.

The introduction 
of group activities which included 
virtual reality (VR), gaming and tablets has allowed
greater participation and inclusion opportunities than before:

 

• 65 children and young people from specialist provisions influenced the design of two new-build special schools.
• 61 children and young people supported the development of a wellbeing strategy and short-breaks offer.

In support of AT solutions, the University of Huddersfield has completed an evaluation of how it can be used to diversify short-break offers, and the impact innovative approaches have on children and young people’s engagement in participation projects and decision-making.

The cost that could have been incurred without the AT interventions are in excess of £300,000. This incredible achievement has been managed through partnership working and the positive promotion of AT approaches across Children’s Services and with key partners.

We have shared this overall learning across the local authority, with partners at the SEND Transformation & Commissioning Group and it continues to shape our Local Offer information for families, parents and carers. Nationally we have shared the learning via the TSA-Tech Enabled Care Association and at the National Commissioners Conference.

The commissioner will remain in post for 2024, to build on successes and integrate AT approaches into our early support, assessment and intervention process to benefit children, young people, and their families.

Schools are now a primary focus, with work underway to ensure all teaching staff in Kirklees are aware of what assistive technologies are available for free within the platforms they currently use e.g. Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams.

In addition to this, for children with SEND, we are arranging a loan bank of AT equipment that schools, staff and children can use. We have no doubt that increased availability and knowledge of AT in schools can help meet educational attainments and support teaching staff.

There have been further approaches to enhance communication too. Working with colleagues from The Barnsley Assistive Technology team we are providing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services and Environmental Control (EC) services within Kirklees.

Creative AT approaches have helped Kirklees Council’s Children’s Service work collaboratively with children, young people, and families to embrace diversity, ensure inclusivity and create a climate for meaningful participation.

We recommend other councils consider AT as an intervention for Children’s Services, with appropriate training and support for colleagues, and are happy to offer support.